Title: Shadow & Flame
Series: Rime Chronicles #2
Author: Mindee Arnett
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Published: June 4, 2019
Pages: 496
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: ARC
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From acclaimed author Mindee Arnett comes the thrilling conclusion of the stunningly epic, action-packed, and romantic fantasy adventure about a powerful girl possessed of strange magic, the outcast prince she loves, and the kingdom that has torn them apart.
Kate and Corwin are on the run, desperate for allies in a new world of war among the kingdoms of Rime. As the book opens, Kate suffers a massive loss, one that will shape the struggle for freedom of all wilders and magic folk—that is, if Kate can learn to control her own power.
Kate and Corwin are on the run, desperate for allies in a new world of war among the kingdoms of Rime. As the book opens, Kate suffers a massive loss, one that will shape the struggle for freedom of all wilders and magic folk—that is, if Kate can learn to control her own power.
MY REVIEW
DISCLAIMER: I received an ARC of this book at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions expressed in my review are my own. I am so unbelievably impressed with this book and this series. This was such a brilliant finale to end this story. There are some bittersweet moments towards the end. I may not recover from this book hangover that is coming.
First of all, this book starts off with a bang, for certain. The prologue was just shocking and unexpected. The entire sequence of events, from the first book through the end of this book, are so expertly planned out. I loved the overall plot of the series. The foreshadowing from the first book is so clear now that I've read this book. All the loose ends are tied up nicely and the ending is so satisfying.
The world-building in this book really surpasses that of the last book. I loved the vivid details about this world and this book only expands on them. We get to experience life in Seva as well as Rime. There is so much more lore and backstory ingrained in this book. So many surprising details about this world are revealed.
The characters in this series become such a part of you as you read this story. I adored the characters in the first book but they grow so much in this book. They go through heartbreaking ordeals after the events of the first book. The characters go on some very personal journeys through their grief and trials. The character growth is wonderful. I have grown very attached to these characters and I am sad that this journey with them has come to an end. Kate has a personal journey in this book. She has to come to terms with her power and how she uses it. She finds that there is a fine line between right and wrong and she has to find a balance within herself to be the best person she can be. Corwin's journey is a sad and emotional one. He endures so much in this second installment and I think that I felt the most for his character in particular. His character development in this book really wowed me. The cast of secondary characters in this series is magnificent. Sometimes when I read a book I find myself not caring as much about the secondary characters but that definitely is not the case with this book series. These characters, both the good and the bad, are ones that evoke emotion in the reader. I felt connected to each and every one of them in one way or another. They are built and executed perfectly. I found myself caring just as much about their character development and their character arcs as I did for the two main characters. This is definitely an ensemble cast of characters.
I love how the romance was wrapped up in this. The struggles that both Kate and Corwin go through before reuniting affects their relationship. I also liked how Kate's power and her use of it became a conflict between them after reuniting. It was especially emotional because of how Corwin had been tortured with that same power while he was being held captive in Seva. I liked the resolution between them also came from them growing individually. All in all, I really enjoyed their love story. They are well suited for each other and they really do complete each other and bring out the best parts of each other.
I found the author's writing style incredibly addictive. The writing is so smooth and eloquent. It is absolutely top-notch quality writing.
Overall, I couldn't have been more pleased with the finale to this incredible book series! I am so sad that this was only a duology because I loved it so much and I just want more. I can't recommend this book and this series enough! You will not be disappointed with it. If you want to read a fantasy that will consume your thoughts then pick this one up!
PLAYLIST
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Title: Onyx & Ivory
Series: Rime Chronicles #1
Author: Mindee Arnett
Publisher: Balzer + BrayPublished: May 15, 2018Pages: 500Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Author: Mindee Arnett
Publisher: Balzer + BrayPublished: May 15, 2018Pages: 500Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
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They call her Traitor Kate. It’s a title Kate Brighton inherited from her father after he tried to assassinate the high king years ago. Now Kate lives as an outcast, clinging to the fringes of society as a member of the Relay, the imperial courier service. Only those most skilled in riding and bow hunting ride for the Relay; and only the fastest survive, for when dark falls, the nightdrakes—deadly flightless dragons—come out to hunt. Fortunately, Kate has a secret edge: she is a wilder, born with magic that allows her to influence the minds of animals. But it’s this magic that she needs to keep hidden, as being a wilder is forbidden, punishable by death or exile. And it’s this magic that leads her to a caravan massacred by nightdrakes in broad daylight—the only survivor her childhood friend, her first love, the boy she swore to forget, the boy who broke her heart.
The high king’s second son, Corwin Tormane, never asked to lead. Even as he waits for the uror—the once-in-a-generation ritual to decide which of the king’s children will succeed him—he knows it’s always been his brother who will assume the throne. And that’s fine by him. He’d rather spend his days away from the palace, away from the sight of his father, broken with sickness from the attempt on his life. But the peacekeeping tour Corwin is on has given him too much time to reflect upon the night he saved his father’s life—the night he condemned the would-be killer to death and lost the girl he loved. Which is why he takes it on himself to investigate rumors of unrest in one of the remote city-states, only for his caravan to be attacked—and for him to be saved by Kate.
With their paths once more entangled, Kate and Corwin have to put the past behind them. The threat of drakes who attack in the daylight is only the beginning of a darker menace stirring in the kingdom—one whose origins have dire implications for Kate’s father’s attack upon the king and will thrust them into the middle of a brewing civil war in the kingdom of Rime.
YA Author of THE NIGHTMARE AFFAIR, a contemporary fantasy coming March 5, 2013 from Tor Teen (Macmillan) and AVALON, a YA sci-fi thriller coming Winter 2014 from Balzer+Bray (HarperCollins). Represented by the fabulous Suzie Townsend of New Leaf Literary. Addicted to jumping horses and telling tales of magic, the macabre, and outer space.
Start Date: 4th June 2019
End Date: 18th June 2019
My name is Vanessa a.k.a. Queen Alchemy. I am a 30-something-year-old mother of four nerdy, fantastic children. We live in the Midwest. I have a reading addiction, and I hope that I never recover! I'm the hugest nerd you can find with interests not limited to the following: comics (Batman and Captain America for the win!), science, computers, zombies, unicorns, Harry Potter, cartoons from the 80's & 90's, Frankenstein, history, crafting, cooking & baking, Star Wars, digital scrapbooking, D&D, Minecraft, Hello Kitty, horror, metalcore, royalty, tattoos & piercings, bright colors, and so much more!
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